Karlovy Vary is the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic. Its famous spas attract people from all around the world come to visit the thermal baths, historic centre, and the beautiful city that Karlovy Vary is.
And if you’re living in Prague, Karlovy Vary is a perfect weekend trip from Prague if you want to go explore someplace new.
There are so many different ways to get from Prague to Karlovy Vary so let’s explore the different options below to see which one works best for you.
One thing we love about Prague and the Czech Republic is how great public transport is and how easy it is to travel between cities in the country. It’s also not too expensive which is nice.
The convenience and the price make it possible to go to Karlovy Vary just for a day trip. We recommend staying for a weekend in Karlovy Vary though because there’s just so much to do.
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4 best ways to get from Prague to Karlovy Vary
This is quite a common trip to take for locals, tourists, and expats who want to visit the natural thermal springs. Since it’s a popular route, there are plenty of different options to get between the two cities.
Lots of people do this commute weekly and some people even travel between the two on the daily.
Below you can find the different options and select your mode of transport based on how much time and the amount of money you want to spend, as well as the convenience of your trip.
Let’s get right into all the different options on how to get from Prague to Karlovy Vary.
In this post, you will find the different options, ticket prices, links to sites where you can book from, and reasons why we recommend each option.
Prague to Karlovy Vary by bus
Average price: $8-9 one way
Average time: Just under 2 hours
Convenience: 5/5
Where to book: Omio
Taking the bus from Prague to Karlovy Varys is definitely one of the more convenient options if you want to get there quickly.
The ride is quite smooth and the main highway from Prague to Karlovy Vary is really good. There usually isn’t much traffic that delays the trip so the 1 hour 45 to get to Karlovy Vary is pretty accurate.
The bus stop in Prague where the bus leaves from is quite easy to get to as it’s right next to the Hradcanska metro stop. In Karlovy Vary, you will get dropped off right next to the centre so it’s super convenient.
One other thing we wanted to mention is that busses run roughly every hour. If you miss a bus there will be one shortly after. We do recommend booking in advance though to guarantee a seat!
Book your bus ticket to Karlovy Vary here.
Prague to Karlovy Vary by Train
Average price: $12-18 one way
Average time: 3:30 hours
Convenience: 3/5
Where to book: Rome2Rio
Most of the time we actually prefer to take trains. We love relaxing inside the train carriage, getting work done, and looking outside as the train rolls through different areas of the country.
But because of the route the train takes from Prague to Karlovy Vary, it’s a bit longer and more expensive to take the train compared to taking the bus. So the convenience and value go down a bit on this one.
The trip leaves from Prague’s main train station and drops you off close to downtown Karlovy Vary. Double-check before buying your train ticket and try and book a ticket where you don’t have to transfer.
Every second train that leaves from Prague goes directly to Karlovy Vary. It’s way more convenient than having to transfer halfway. Plus the direct train is about 30 minutes shorter.
Book your train ticket to Karlovy Vary here.
Prague to Karlovy Vary by rideshare
Average price: $4-8 one way (prices vary depending on the driver)
Average time: Just under 2 hours
Convenience: 4/5
Where to book: Blablacar
If you’re in the mood to make a new friend or if want someone to chat with then a rideshare is a good option.
We’ve used Blablacar a few times just on day trips from Prague but haven’t taken one to Karlovy Vary before. It’s quite inconsistent with drivers from Prague to Karlovy Vary but it doesn’t hurt to check.
You can always search on the app/website to see if anyone is driving on the day you’re looking to go. One of the benefits of a rideshare is that it’s quite cheap and you can usually meet friendly people.
If you’re a little adventurous and comfortable driving with a stranger then give it a go.
Search for a BlaBlaCar driver here.
Prague to Karlovy Vary by rental car
Average price: Anywhere from $25-50 a day + gas
Average time: Just under 2 hours by car
Convenience: 4.5/5
Where to book: DiscoverCars
If there are 2 or more of you then renting a car may be your best option for the price and convenience. You can decide when you want to leave and if you want to make some stops along the way.
The countryside in the Czech Republic is beautiful, especially near Karlovy Vary.
Renting a car is definitely the most expensive option out of the 4 but if there are a few of you heading to Karlovy Vary together this is a good option as it gives you the freedom to stop along the way.
We recommend renting a car through DiscoverCars and then picking it up from the Prague Airport since it’s usually the cheapest option.
We like using DiscoverCars because it compares the different rental companies and shows you the cheapest and best options!
Another good tip is that the further you book the car rental in advance the more likely you are to get a better discount!
Book your rental car from Prague Airport here.
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Recap of how to get from Prague to Karlovy Vary
We hope you have the best trip from Prague and enjoy all the fun attractions and activities you do.
We love how close Karlovy Vary is to Prague and how easily you can get there. This is just one of the many reasons why we love living in Prague.
Have fun!
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